Dictionary entry

Defective (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

De‐fect″ive (?), n. 1. Anything that is defective or lacking in some respect.

2. (Med.) One who is lacking physically or mentally.

☞ Under the term defectives are included deaf-mutes, the blind, the feeble-minded, the insane, and sometimes, esp. in criminology, criminals and paupers.